Agents for the Prophylaxis and Treatment of Hiv and Other Viral Infections

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This patent describes agents—particularly specific peptides and their polymers—designed to prevent and treat HIV and other viral infections by targeting and disrupting amyloid fibrils that enhance viral infectivity. These peptides were originally developed for preventing amyloid fibril formation in Alzheimer’s disease, but the inventors found that amyloid fibrils also increase HIV infection rates, especially those present in semen (SEVI fibrils). By binding to and destabilizing these fibrils, the invention promises to reduce the transmission and progression of HIV, the occurrence of related conditions like HIV-associated dementia (HAD), and possibly other viral diseases. The agents can be used as tablets, gels, sprays, or injectables for prophylactic or therapeutic purposes.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Prevention of HIV transmission during sexual intercourse via application of peptide-containing gels in the genital area.
• Therapeutic treatment of people already infected with HIV to reduce progression and neurological complications such as HIV-associated dementia.
• Use as part of microbicidal gels, creams, tablets, or sprays for general prevention of viral infections enhanced by amyloid fibrils (including non-HIV viruses).
• Combined therapy for patients at risk of or suffering from both Alzheimer’s disease and HIV, due to the dual action against amyloid fibrils in both diseases.
• Systemic prevention or treatment of viral infections by oral tablets or injectable formulations that target amyloid-fibril enhanced infectivity.
• Reducing the infectivity of other retroviruses or related viral infections where amyloid fibrils act as infection enhancers.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Significantly reduces the infectivity of HIV and potentially other viruses by targeting a mechanism that enhances viral entry (amyloid fibrils), providing a new prophylactic and therapeutic approach.
• Can be formulated in versatile pharmaceutical forms (gels, sprays, tablets, injections), enabling topical or systemic prevention and treatment.
• Peptides are designed to be highly specific for amyloid fibrils, resulting in fewer side effects and minimal impact on healthy cells or proteins.
• Offers a novel mechanism distinct from current antiretroviral drugs, broadening therapeutic options and potentially reducing resistance issues.
• May simultaneously address neurological complications in HIV patients (like HAD) and risks associated with amyloid fibril formation in Alzheimer's.
• D-enantiomer peptides used are more stable in the body, resistant to degradation, and less likely to trigger immune reactions, enhancing efficacy and safety.
• Can be used both for prevention in at-risk populations and as therapy for infected individuals, including patients with or at risk for Alzheimer’s disease.

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Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to an agent for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of HIV and other viral infections. The agent contains, in particular, at least one peptide with an amino acid sequence suitable for the prophylaxis of fibrilla associated with Alzheimer's disease, and/or homologues, fragments and parts of said peptide, for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of HIV and/or other viral infections.